Gali Janardhan Reddy’s counsel has accused the CBI of prejudice against his client.
During the hearing for bail moved by the mining baron on Wednesday, his counsel asked why charges against the Bellary Mining Company (another company that was also accused of encroachment) were not pursued.
Gali Reddy, a former Karnataka minister, is accused of being involved in the illegal mining and export of iron ore in Bellary and Anantapur.
Gali Reddy’s counsel requested the court to grant him bail as elections were round the corner and as his client wanted to contest. He argued that since the investigation as far as his client is concerned was over, there was no reason to grant the CBI’s demand for extension of remand.
Countering the CBI’s contention that Gali Reddy could threaten witnesses if allowed out on bail, the counsel said that all the witnesses were official, documentary and scientific, and therefore “the question of tampering doesn't arise.”
Regarding allegations made by some of the bidders that they had withdrawn their bids after coming to know that the Gali Reddy was also bidding, the counsel questioned how the voluntary action of an individual based on assumptions could be blamed on his client.
The CBI court will hear the CBI’s arguments in the case on Thursday.